Saturday 20 December 2014

Sunday 7 December 2014

Borah Gear Bivy - Two year update


In December 2012 I posted a first look at a custom Borah Gear bivy I'd just received. It's proved to be a popular post and it's one item of gear I've been asked about a few times so I thought I'd do a bit of an update on how I've got on with the bivy over the last two years. 

Wednesday 19 November 2014

Pitching the MLD SuperMid

For a while now I've been eyeing up the Mountain Laurel Designs SuperMid as a potential replacement for my DuoMid. 


Saturday 18 October 2014

MYOG Cuben Hybrid Pack Lid


I recently made a pack lid using Hybrid Cuben Fiber, it's the first time I've used the fabric for a MYOG project and I'm quite pleased with how it's turned out so I thought I'd share a few photo's of the finished item.

Wednesday 15 October 2014

Two Days in the Far Eastern Fells - Video


I had a rare weekend off last week and I finally managed to get to the Lake District for a long overdue reunion with Peter and Lee who I walked the 2014 TGO Challenge with back in May...

Thursday 2 October 2014

As Tucas Custom Gear


Quilts seem to be one of those marmite pieces of outdoor gear that people either love or hate. Until earlier this year I'd never used one and for while I'd fancied trying a quilt set up for some of my backpacking trips.

Sunday 28 September 2014

More from the 2014 TGO Challenge


With the release of the entry forms for the 2015 TGO Challenge I've been having another look through the photo's from my 2014 crossing. I took quite few photo's as well as all the video footage so here's a few more from what was an excellent two weeks wandering across the Scottish Highlands.

Tuesday 23 September 2014

Two Days in the Northern Fells


I had a couple of days off from work last week and managed to nip over to the Lake District for a quick overnighter. 

Thursday 18 September 2014

Pitching the MLD SoloMid


I've just got back from a couple of days wandering around the Northern Fells of the Lake District. I took some footage on the GoPro so I'll post a bit of a trip report and video over the next week or so but for now I thought I'd post a little pitching video for the MLD SoloMid...

Wednesday 25 June 2014

2014 TGO Challenge Video - Part 3


Part 3 of the footage from my 2014 TGO Challenge coast to coast saunter across the Highlands of Scotland. 


Friday 6 June 2014

2014 TGO Challenge Video - Part 2


Part 2 of the footage from my 2014 TGO Challenge coast to coast wander across the Highlands of Scotland. 

Thursday 5 June 2014

Photo's from the 2014 TGO Challenge


Rather than wait until I've got time to put together some sort of write up I thought I'd share a few photo's from our crossing now. 

Wednesday 28 May 2014

2014 TGO Challenge Video - Part 1

With my car being unexpectedly out of action this week my plans for a 3 day trip to the Lakes have had to be put on the hold. As such I've had a bit of time on my hands and have used it to start going through the mountain of footage the three of us shot during the TGO challenge. 

Glen Affric wild camp

Saturday 24 May 2014

TGO Challenge 2014

I completed my 2014 TGO Challenge at 9am on Thursday morning as the Three of us strolled in to the sea at Montrose, 12 days and 378km after leaving Strathcarron.

Wednesday 30 April 2014

A Coniston Peak Fest - Video


Yesterday I finished editing the GoPro footage taken last weekend, it took me a while to go through all the files but i'm reasonably happy with the end product so I thought I'd share it on here.


Monday 28 April 2014

A Coniston Peak Fest


Last weekend I managed to get to the Lakes for what will probably be my last outing before the TGO in May. Peter (@munro277) was free and a plan was hatched to have 2 nights around the Southern Fells.

Monday 14 April 2014

Back to the Lakes


With couple of days off from work last week I jumped at the opportunity to nip to the Lake District for a camp and a bit of a wander.

Monday 7 April 2014

TGO Challenge 2014 Gear List


Below is my proposed gear list for the 2014 TGO Challenge, nearly all of the kit listed is well used and well tested so hopefully it should see me through. The sleeping bag is a new item and has only been used on one trip so far but first impressions are very good. So... on to the list:

*Updated 12 April 2014 - Weights added*

Sunday 16 March 2014

As Tucas Foratata Down Socks



I recently placed an order for some custom gear from As Tucas in Spain, whilst my custom gear was being made I noticed on their FB page they were putting together a prototype for a down sock. I've been wanting a pair of down booties to use inside my sleeping bag for quite a while so I emailed Marco at As Tucas and asked if a pair of these could be added to my order. 


Thursday 30 January 2014

TGOC - Route Vetted

In my previous post I advised that our route for the 2014 challenge had been returned requiring a few alterations as well as some additional information for one of the days...


Wednesday 29 January 2014

Tuesday 28 January 2014

First hills of 2014

Managed a quick trip to the Lake District last week and with it my first few hills of the new year, nothing too strenuous, just a couple of day walks but it was great to be out again. I took the GoPro with me but didn't record much footage due to not charging the battery properly, the video below is a glimpse of what I got up to. 




I headed up towards Scafell Pike and Great End via Grains Gill on the first day and had a nice steady wander up High Spy and along to Catbells on day two. No camping this time, due to the forecast of pretty much non-stop rain I decided to have a night in a Youth Hostel. As I said nothing too strenous but it was good to be back the Lakes :-) 


Matt

Friday 17 January 2014

MLD Newt

I've been on the look out for a new day pack for quite some time, last August I thought I'd found the one and ordered a Haglofs Gram Comp 25. I was initially impressed with the Haglofs pack, it appeared well made and I found it comfortable on the one walk I used it, unfortunately on that walk one of the pockets ripped so I returned the pack and started the hunt all over again. After quite a few recommendations via twitter I considered the Osprey Talon 33 but in the end I went with the new version (2013/14) of the Newt pack from Mountain Laurel Designs (MLD), which arrived a week or so ago.